Many of us may often wonder “can double eyelids develop over time?” In Asia — where much emphasis is put on beauty and appearance — it is not out of the ordinary to be concerned with our eyelids.
Chances are many of us grew up talking about whether we had double eyelids or single eyelids, or how we can make our single eyelids double. Or if our baby is born with single eyelids, can double eyelids develop over time?
Can Double Eyelids Develop Over Time In Kids?
This is why double-eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty has become a very common trend among young Asian girls. Many of them wonder whether can double eyelids develop over time.
In countries like Japan and Korea, where blepharoplasty is very popular, and in Asia in general, some women believe that having a double eyelid can make you more beautiful. Of course, this is highly subjective!
The double/single eyelid subject is sometimes a controversial one with opponents saying that this is a trend created in an attempt to follow western standards of beauty.
Some might even find the topic of whether “can double eyelids develop over time” as a sensitive thing to talk about.
Natural Double Eyelids in Asians
Dr Edward Kwak, a New York-based cosmetic surgeon, states that most patients who opt for the surgery are not aspiring to be like their Caucasian counterparts but like many Asians who naturally have an eyelid fold.
Many high school graduates believe that this procedure ‘improves their job prospects’ as double eyelids provide a more energetic appearance.
A before and after photo of blepharoplasty. | Photo: Mina Plastic Surgery
Many mums are concerned about this subject, too, and wonder can double eyelids develop over time in their children. Babies do change as they grow and almost all newborns have slightly swollen eyes when they emerge from the womb, giving an appearance of a single eyelid.
When your baby is around two months old, his features start getting more prominent and you will know if your baby will have single or double eyelids.
But this doesn’t mean you should immediately start worrying about whether can double eyelids develop over time in your child.
Options and Procedures to Get Double Eyelids
The trend of getting double eyelids over time can affect the self-esteem of people without them. Fortunately, people now have options in getting their dream eyes with different available eyelid procedures.
Below are some details on what you can expect if you choose to get double eyelids with or without incisions:
With Incisions
Before the surgery, your doctor uses a pen to properly measure and mark the intended double eyelid line. Afterwards, the listed steps below will be followed accordingly:
- A local anaesthetic will be used with IV sedation or general anaesthesia.
- Your doctor will cut tiny incisions made along the double eyelid line.
- Using the incisions, the removal of the marked skin follows.
- Between the incisions, your doctor cuts out the orbicularis oculi muscle and fat.
- To finish the process, the assigned doctor closes the cutes with skin glue or stitches.
- If they used stitches, an appointment of removing the threads will follow.
Before you think about choosing this process, we suggest you ask about the skin removal involved. Those with thicker skin need more time to remove the skin and fat along the eyelids.
Additionally, once you go through with this, there’s no going back. The risks involved after the procedure include:
- Changes in vision or eyesight. This can be temporary or permanent, depending on the issue.
- Infection that may lead to negative effects on your vision.
- Visible scars
Image Source: iStock
Without Incisions
If you want a reversible option, you can ask your doctor about the procedure that doesn’t involve incisions. With this, you don’t need to worry about regretting the surgery.
Doctors use the buried suture technique for reversible double eyelid surgery. To accomplish this, they puncture the lids with sutures and use them to form the crease for double eyelids.
Unlike the procedure with incisions, the doctor will not remove the stitches used to tighten the creases. The sutures will heal along with your skin and remain hidden between the eyelids.
However, this process does come with risks. The possible negative effects include:
- Sutures causing eye infections or cysts
- Uneven healing of creases
- Puncture marks you can see when you close your eyes
Despite the risks, this process provides a safer option that the one with incisions. You only need to expect the negative effects we mentioned if your eyelids have thicker skin.
If you have thicker eyelids, your doctor might recommend the process with incisions instead of the one without.
Expert Answers: Can Double Eyelids Develop Over Time?
“Generally, most children are born with single or double eyelids that they will keep throughout their lives,” shares Dr Gerard Nah Medical Director of W Eye Clinic, in Singapore. “A few, however, may develop double eyelids as they grow up because the relationship of muscle attachment to the eyelid and the fat under the eyelid skin changes,”
However, there is actually an easier way to determine what your baby’s eyes will probably look like — look at your own and your spouse’s eyes! If both of you have single eyelids then chances are that your baby will have them too.
And, if you and your spouse have different-looking eyelids, your child could have either single or double ones!
If you and your spouse have single eyelids, chances are your child will have them too. Your child’s appearance is mainly determined by genetics.
Comments of Parents
Some mums have also given their opinion on whether can double eyelids develop over time on a public forum and here are some of their comments:
“It all depends on the gene pool… I have one double lid and one mono lid but most of the time my mono lid becomes a double lid and if I cry and rub my eyes it becomes a caucasion looking double lid for a day lol but my mother has double lids and my dad has monolids so it basically in the genes” “My hubby has huge eyes with double eyelids, I have tiny eyes with single eyelids & our son has huge eyes with single eyelids. Actually, I think our son looks very adorable with single eyelids [and] I hope he stays that way”
Most parents claim that their genes contribute to the possibility of double eyelids. Their eyes can naturally develop into double eyelids over time. Some claim the change is possible despite being born with single eyelids.
“Since both of [you have] double eyelids, ur children [should have] double eyelids too. Unless 1 of your 4 parents [have] single eyelid” “My boy has very obvious double eyelids since birth and they are still there! [Don’t] worry mummy! no matter how she changes, she will still be your darling!”
The last mum’s comment sums it up quite accurately — whatever your baby looks like, single eyelids or double eyelids, he or she will be the most beautiful thing you’ve ever set your eyes on! So don’t worry too much about whether can double eyelids develop over time.
If we tell our children how naturally beautiful they are, they will grow to be comfortable with the features they were born with and be happy with the way they look.
This article was updated by Kaira De la Rosa.